Single pivot windshield wiper attachment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A wiper apparatus employed in a windshield wiper system for supporting a pair of wiper elements via a wiper drive arm pivotably mounted proximate a vehicle windshield. The wiper apparatus comprises a drive arm attachment member adapted to be coupled with the wiper drive arm. In one embodiment, a pivot arm is pivotably secured to the drive arm attachment member about a pivot axis which intersects the windshield. The pivot arm is configured to carry the pair of wiper elements such that each of the wiper elements moves over a corresponding first arcuate path when the drive arm is rotated in a first direction and moves over a corresponding second arcuate path when the drive arm is rotated in an opposite direction. Each of the first and second paths of a first wiper element is different from each of the first and second paths of a second wiper element. In one embodiment, each of the wiper elements moves between a corresponding upper position when the drive arm is rotated in the first direction, and a corresponding lower position when the drive arm is rotated in the opposite direction. In another embodiment, each of the wiper elements moves between a corresponding first angular position when the drive arm is rotated in the first direction, and a corresponding second angular position when the drive arm is rotated in the opposite direction.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/790,341 filedon Jan. 27, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,765.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a windshield wiper attachmentapparatus, and in particular, to a windshield wiper attachment memberwhich provides improved wiping performance of a windshield by utilizingtwo parallel wiper blades spaced apart and pivotally connected to awindshield wiper driving arm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The provision of two parallel windshield wiper blades secured on asingle windshield wiper driving arm is well known in the art.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,158,254 discloses a windshield wiper provided with twoor more wiping elements, each of which are separately mounted to thevehicle at two spaced pivot points proximate the windshield, and whichare powered by separate motors integral with the vehicle's electricalsystem. The wiper elements move across approximately the same area ofthe windshield surface but move in different or intersecting paths sothat streaks which may be left by the first wiping element will be wipedoff by the second wiping element which follows closely behind the firstbut which moves along a different path. The two wiper elements are,however, connected to each other by a link which restricts theirmovement back and forth and which limits the area of the windshield overwhich the wipers pass.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,605,491 teaches a windshield wiper comprising two wiperelements spaced apart and arranged parallel one another on a cross-headbracket which is in turn connected with the free end of an operating armhaving a pivotal center. The wipers are arranged on the cross-headbracket such that the overall length of arcuate sweep of the wiperelements is increased in an attempt to clear the maximum area on thewindshield. The wiper elements are, however, attached to the cross headbrackets by a swivel which does not limit the rotation of the wipersthereon. As such, the wiper elements are left to randomly shift on theswivel as the operating arm moves back and forth across the window. As aresult of the swivel attachment and resulting random shifting of thewiper elements, large areas of the windshield are often neglected.Additionally, the swivel attachment is prone to becoming stuck, therebyfixing the wiper elements in a single position.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,607,944 discloses a combination windshield wiper forcleaning the surface of a windshield and which comprises a pivotallymounted reciprocating wiper arm with a wiper mounted in operativeposition on the outer end thereof, and a second wiper mounted oppositethe first wiper and attached to the end of a telescoping rod wherein theouter end of the second wiper is provided with rollers adapted to travelwithin the groove of a track along the top edge of the windshield. Therollers may, however, become stuck within the groove of the trackthereby preventing the wipers from moving across the windshield.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,019 teaches a windshield wiper driving arm having anadapter for mounting two parallel wipers on a single windshield wiperdriving arm for providing improved cleaning of a windshield. The adapterbeing configured to allow total arm pressure to be divided substantiallyequal between the two wiper blades during wiping. This device, however,permits wiping in only a fixed area of the windshield.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,283, there is disclosed a windshield wiperadapter provided with two windshield wiper blades attached thereto, andwhich tilts the wiper blades in the sweep movement direction as thewiper blades are swept across the surface of a windshield. This device,however, permits wiping in only a fixed area ofthe windshield andrequires complicated adjustments to the adapter to control the tiltingof the wiper blades.

Thus, there is a need for a windshield wiper attachment apparatus whichprovides improved wiping ability over a large area of a windshield,which is inexpensive, as well as simple to attach and adjust.Additionally, there is a need for a windshield wiper attachmentapparatus which is easily replaceable, which does not require anyelectrical wiring or additional connection to the vehicle, and whichovercomes the problems inherent in the prior art.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus a general object of the present invention to provide awindshield wiper attachment apparatus capable of providing improvedcleaning of and enhanced visibility through a vehicle's windshield.

Another object of the invention is to provide a windshield wiperattachment apparatus configured for securing two wiper elements anddetachably mounting the attachment member on a wiper drive arm which isattached to the vehicle's windshield at a single pivot point.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide awindshield wiper attachment member for mounting two wiper elements to adrive arm attachment member and detachably mounting the same upon awiper drive arm such that the mounting of the wiper elements providesfor improved wiping coverage of a windshield.

The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, relates to awiper apparatus employed in a windshield wiper system. Advantageously,the wiper apparatus is configured to support a pair of wiper elementsvia a wiper drive arm pivotably mounted proximate a vehicle windshield.The wiper apparatus comprises a drive arm attachment member adapted tobe coupled with the wiper drive arm. In one embodiment, a pivot arm ispivotably secured to the drive arm attachment member about a pivot axiswhich intersects the windshield. The pivot arm is configured to carrythe pair of wiper elements such that each of the wiper elements movesover a corresponding first arcuate path when the drive arm is rotated ina first direction and moves over a corresponding second arcuate pathwhen the drive arm is rotated in an opposite direction. Each of thefirst and second paths of a first wiper element is different from eachof the first and second paths of a second wiper element.

In one embodiment, each of the wiper elements moves between acorresponding upper position when the drive arm is rotated in the firstdirection, and a corresponding lower position when the drive arm isrotated in the opposite direction. In another embodiment, each of thewiper elements moves between a corresponding first angular position whenthe drive arm is rotated in the first direction, and a correspondingsecond angular position when the drive arm is rotated in the oppositedirection.

The above description sets forth rather broadly the more importantfeatures of the present invention in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be understood, and in order that the presentcontributions to the art may be better appreciated. Other objects andfeatures of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not asa definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference shouldbe made to the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings in which like reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a double pivot windshield wiperattachment apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention and having two windshield wiper elements mountedthereon;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial front view of a vehicle windshieldincluding a double pivot windshield wiper attachment apparatusconstructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventionand connected to a conventional windshield wiper drive arm;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side sectional view of a windshield wiper elementand wiper blade mounted upon a mounting rod of a support member inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged bottom sectional view of a double pivotattachment member in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged top sectional view of a double pivotattachment member in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present inventionillustrating an alternative manner of mounting pivot members uponattachment member;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate enlarged bottom sectional views of a doublepivot attachment member, in accordance with the present inventionherein, illustrating the movement of the support members and wiperelements from a first vertical position to a second vertical position asthe windshield wiper driver arm is swept back and forth upon awindshield.

FIGS. 9a and 9 b illustrate perspective views of alternative embodimentsof pivot members constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an elevational of the double pivot windshield wiperattachment apparatus constructed in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an elevational of the double pivot windshield wiperattachment as illustrated in FIG. 10 and shown moving along a path X;

FIG. 12 illustrates another alternative embodiment according to thepresent invention where the drive arm attachment member is swivellablyattached to the drive arm; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a windshield wiper apparatus that employs asingle pivot, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With initial reference to FIG. 1, a double pivot windshield wiperattachment apparatus 10 is shown according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. Windshield wiper attachment apparatus 10 includes adrive arm attachment member 12, having an upper surface 14 and a lowersurface 16. Drive arm attachment member 12 is further defined by a topend 18, a bottom end 20, and first and second sidewalls 22, 24. Awindshield wiper drive arm receiving portion 26 is advantageouslymounted upon upper surface 14 of drive arm attachment member 12 andextends toward bottom end 20 of drive arm attachment member 12. Aconventional vehicle windshield wiper drive arm 28 (shown in FIG. 2) maybe releasably secured at a first end 28 a to receiving portion 26 viaany releasably securable method of connection such as by screwing or byinterlocking snaps. At a second end 28 b, drive arm 28 is rotatablyattached to a vehicle at swivel point 29 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Drivearm 28 will actuate back and forth upon swivel point 29 acrosswindshield 52 as is well known in the art. Swivel point 29 is preferablycontrolled via a motor (not shown) which is attached to the vehicle'selectrical system, although the invention is not limited in this respectand other methods of controlling swivel point 29 may be employed withoutdetracting from the invention. Additionally, the invention is notlimited in the manner by which drive arm 28 is secured to receivingportion 26 of drive arm attachment member 12 and may include any ofvarious fixing methods known in the art without detracting from theinvention. Furthermore, receiving portion 26 is not limited to beingmounted upon upper surface 14 of drive arm attachment member 12, and maybe mounted elsewhere on drive arm attachment member 12, such as on lowersurface 16.

First and second support members 30,32, respectively, are advantageouslypositioned parallel to first and second sidewalls 22, 24 of drive armattachment member 12 and are pivotally secured to drive arm attachmentmember 12 by pivot links or pivot members 34. As shown in greater detailin FIGS. 9a and 9 b, a pivot member 34 includes a surface 36, which maybe straight (FIG. 9a) or curved (FIG. 9b), and at least two pins 38 a,38 b. Pins 38 a and 38 b extend from surface 36 in opposite directionsin separate parallel planes.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, and with greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5,drive arm attachment member 12 is provided with a pair of pivot points40 proximate first and second sidewall 22, 24. Additionally, first andsecond support members 30, 32 are provided with corresponding pivotpoints 42 which advantageously are aligned with the pivot points 40 ofdrive arm attachment member 12. Pivot points 40 are configured toreceive pivot pins 38 a of pivot member 34. Pivot pins 38 b are thenreceived in pivot points 42 of first and second support members 30, 32.Pivot pins 38 a are advantageously rotatably secured within pivot points40, 42 and may be secured via any interlocking method known in the artsuch as by soldering, welding or an interlocking snap mechanism. Theinvention is not, however, limited to the configuration and arrangementof a pair pivot points 40 proximate first and second sidewalls 22, 24 asdiscussed above, and alternative configurations may function equallywell without detracting from the invention. For example, in analternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, one pair of pivot points40 are preferably positioned centrally on drive arm attachment member12, and configured to receive pivot pins 38 b of pivot members 34therein.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, first and second support members 30, 32 arefurther provided with wiper element mounting rods 44 a, 44 b,respectively, which extend perpendicularly from first and second supportmembers 30, 32 in a direction away from drive arm attachment member 12when first and second support members 30, 32 are pivotally attached todrive aim attachment member 12 via pivot members 34. First and secondmounting rods 44 a, 44 b are configured to receive and releasably secureconventional windshield wiper element 46 a and 46 b as illustrated inFIG. 1. First wiper element 46 a, which can be seen in greater detail inFIG. 3, are of known construction and generally includes a carrier 48and a rubber blade 50 which is removably attached to carrier 48 whichincludes a hole 49 (shown in FIG. 3) for receiving first mounting rod 44a therein. Rubber blade 50, which is flexible but sturdy, is disposedagainst a vehicle windshield 52 as illustrated in FIG. 2, and angled tolean against windshield 52 with sufficient pressure so as to wipe awaywater, rain and/or snow upon windshield 52, when drive arm 28 rotatesdrive arm attachment member 12.

It is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited with respectto said pivotal attachment of first and second support members 30, 32 tosaid drive arm attachment member 12, and said first and second wiperelements 46 a, 46 b may be pivotally secured directly to said drive armattachment member 12 by said pivot members 34.

In operation, drive arm 28 will wipe the rubber blades 50 across thewindshield in a sweeping back and forth motion as is well known withwiping pressure being applied by a spring (not shown) to retain blades50 against windshield 52. As drive arm 28 rotates, back and forth, therubber blades 50 are swept across windshield 52, such that second wiperelement 46 b in the upper or leading position in FIG. 2, travels in afirst arcuate path (indicated by A in FIG. 2) across windshield 52,removing any water, rain, or snow, etc. within its path. Path A followedby second wiper element 46 b is random, and differs with each sweepacross windshield 52, mainly because of the pivotal securement of firstand second wiper elements 46 a, 46 b to first and second support members30, 32 of drive arm attachment member 12, and also because of the amountof friction existing on windshield 52.

As drive arm 28 sweeps across windshield 52, pivot members 34 are causedto extend and collapse. The degree of extension and collapse dependsupon the material existing upon windshield 52 as well as the frictionthereupon. First wiper element 46 a which follows behind second wiperelement 46 b, travels along a second path, indicated as B in FIG. 2, andremoves any remaining water, rain, snow or streaks left after the firstpassing by second wiper element 46 b.

Pivot members 34 provide for even greater wiping efficiency since thepivot members 34 allow first and second wiper elements 46 a, 46 b tofreely extend over a range defined by a first vertical position upwardto a second vertical position downward as drive arm 28 sweeps wiperelements 46 a, 46 b back and forth across windshield 52. As such,depending upon the material disposed on windshield 52 as well as thefriction created upon windshield 52 by the material, first and secondwiper elements 46 a and 46 b may be capable of providing even greatercleaning capabilities since they may be randomly directed upward anddownwards as they travel across windshield 52.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upward shifting, indicated by arrowC and downward shifting, indicated by arrow D, of wiper elements 46 a,46 b alternate as drive arm 28 sweeps back and forth across windshield52. This upward and downward vertical shifting may be random and ismostly dependent upon the material existing upon windshield 52 and thefriction created thereby. Additionally, since the friction created onthe windshield may change with each passing of drive arm 28, and as aresult of the pivotal securement of first and second wiper elements 46a, 46 b and first and second supporting members 30, 32 to drive armattachment member 12, the random upward and downward shifting of wiperelements 46 a and 46 b cause wiper elements 46 a and 46 b to travelalong a different arcuate path with each back and forth sweep of drivearm 28.

As indicated in FIG. 7, the movement of drive arm 28 from left to rightalong path X, causes first wiper element 46 a to extend to a firstvertical position upward, while second wiper element 46 b is directed toa second vertical position downward. In FIG. 8, as drive arm 28 moves inthe opposite direction from right to left along a path indicated by Y,first wiper element 46 a shifts downward to a second vertical position,while second wiper element 46 b shifts upward to a first verticalposition. The combination of dual parallel wiper elements with theability to expand and collapse as well and the ability to be translatedover a range defined by a first and second vertical positions whiledrive arm sweeps back and forth across the windshield, substantiallyimproves and greatly enhances visibility in a rain or snow storm, inaddition to providing additional safety afforded by the resultantimprovement in vision. The invention is not, however, limited to theseshifting paths as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, but mayinclude numerous random paths which are dependant upon the material andfriction existing on windshield 52.

Additionally, the degree of translation of first and second wiperelements 46 a, 46 b upward and downward may be controlled by placing astop 43 (shown in FIG. 7) proximate pivot points 40 on lower surface 16of drive arm attachment member 12, such that pivot members 34 may onlyextend or be rotated up to certain predetermined point where stop 43 hasbeen positioned FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention which provides for a controlled or fixed path of oneof either the first or second wiping elements 46 a, 46 b. The embodimentof FIG. 9 is provided with all the elements discussed hereinbefore withreference to FIGS. 1-8, with the addition of a separate pivot arm 54having a first end 56 and a second end 58. Similar to the rotatableattachment of drive arm 28 to the vehicle at swivel point 29, first end56 of pivot arm 54 is rotatably attached to the vehicle at swivel point55 proximate swivel point 29, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Second end 58 ofpivot arm 54 is attached to either first or second support member 30,32.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 in which second end 58 of pivot arm 54 isattached to first support member 30, as drive arm 28 is swept from leftto right along the path indicated by X, pivot arm 54 “pulls” on firstsupport member 30 causing second wiper element 46 b attached to firstsupport element 30 to be directed vertically downward. First wiperelement 46 a is free to move along its random path depending upon thematerial and friction existing on windshield 52. As drive arm 28 isdirected in the opposite direction from that illustrated in FIG. 11,first wiper element 46 a will remain free to travel along its randompath. However, pivot arm 54 will now “push” first support member 30 asdrive arm 28 moves across windshield 52 from right to left (not shown)thus directing second wiper element 46 b to be translated verticallyupward. It is to be understood that pivot arm 54 may also be configuredto attach to second support member 32, whereby first wiper element 46 abe swept back and forth along a fixed path controlled by pivot arm 54,leaving second wiper element 44 b to travel along a random path acrosswindshield 52.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG.12, drive arm attachment member 12 is swivellably mounted to drive arm28 by a screw 60 or some other similar swivel attachment, such thatdrive arm attachment member 12 may be caused to swivel upon screw 60 asdrive arm 28 moves back and forth across windshield 52, in addition tothe upward and downward shifting of first and second wiping elements 46a, 46 b, thus providing additional paths across windshield 52 over whichfirst and second wiping elements 46 a, 46 b may travel. The swivellableattachment of drive arm attachment member 12 to drive arm 28, provideseven greater wiping ability, thus further enhancing clear visibilitythrough windshield 52.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate, according to one embodiment of theinvention, a windshield wiper apparatus that employs a single pivot. Inthe embodiment shown, drive arm attachment member 12 comprises a drivearm receptacle 70 which is adapted to be coupled to wiper drive arm 28.Preferably, drive arm 28 may be inserted into a slot disposed throughdrive arm receptacle 70, and is secured in place by pins 71 a or 71 b ora suitable retaining clip on the drive arm (not shown), although thepresent invention is not limited in scope by the manner in which drivearm 28 attaches to drive arm attachment member 12.

Attached to drive arm receptacle 70 is housing 72. In a preferredembodiment, drive arm receptacle 70 and housing 72 are integral. Pivotarm 73 is pivotably attached to housing 72 around a pivot point 76, theaxis of which intersects the windshield. In the embodiment shown, oneend of pivot arm 73 is inserted through open end 72 a of housing 72. End72 b of housing 72, which is oppositely disposed relative to end 72 a,has pivot 75 that extends from its inner surface. Notch 74 is disposedon the inserted end of pivot arm 73 so as to engage pivot 75.

On the end of pivot arm 73 which is opposite to notch 74 are wiperelement mounting rods 44 a and 44 b. In a preferred embodiment, such asthe one shown in FIG. 13, wiper element mounting rods 44 a and 44 b arecoaxial or parallel to each other, and are perpendicular to a major axisof pivot arm 73, although the invention is not limited in scope in theseregards. Mounting rods 44 a and 44 b are configured to receive andreleasably secure conventional windshield wiper elements 46 a and 46 b,respectively. As previously discussed, in operation, drive arm 28 willwipe rubber blades carried by wiper elements 46 a and 46 b across thewindshield in a sweeping back and forth motion as is well known.

Specifically, as drive arm 28 is rotated in direction A (as shown inFIG. 13), the rubber blades of wiper elements 46 a and 46 b are sweptacross the windshield. The friction that results between the rubberblades and the windshield when drive arm 28 is rotated in direction Acauses pivot arm 73 to pivot relative to pivot point 76 in direction B.This movement is arrested when surface 73 a of pivot arm 73 contactsinner surface 72 c of housing 72. When surface 73 a contacts innersurface 72 c, mounting rods 44 a and 44 b are each disposed in acorresponding first angular position relative to drive arm 28. In theembodiment shown, mounting rods 44 a and 44 b are each caused todisposed in a position which is not perpendicular to drive arm 28.

Instead, mounting rod 44 a is disposed in an upper position whilemounting rod 44 bis disposed in a lower position, wherein each positionis defined by its distance from drive arm pivot point 29. For instance,as pivot arm 73 pivots around pivot point 76 in direction B, thedistance between mounting rod 44 a and drive arm pivot point 29increases, thus causing wiper element 46 a to assume an upper position.Furthermore, as pivot arm 73 pivots around pivot point 76 in directionB, the distance between mounting rod 44 b and drive arm pivot point 29decreases, thus causing wiper element 46 b to assume a lower position.

Also, in the embodiment shown, when mounting rods 44 a and 44 b eachassume a corresponding first angular position relative to drive arm 28a, wiper elements 46 a and 46 b each assume a corresponding firstangular position relative to drive arm 28. Thus, when drive arm 28rotates in a first direction, wiper element 46 a travels in a firstarcuate path, wherein wiper element 46 a is in an upper position and hasa corresponding first angular position relative to drive arm 28.Additionally, when drive arm 28 rotates in the same first direction,wiper element 46 b travels in a second arcuate path, wherein wiperelement 46 b is in a lower position and has a corresponding firstangular position relative to drive arm 28.

On the return stroke, drive arm 28 is rotated in direction B (as shownin FIG. 13) and the rubber blades of wiper elements 46 a and 46 b areagain swept across the windshield. This time, the friction that resultsbetween the rubber blades and the windshield when drive arm 28 isrotated in direction B causes pivot arm 73 to pivot relative to pivotpoint 76 in direction A. This movement is arrested when surface 73 b ofpivot arm 73 contacts inner surface 72 d of housing 72. When surface 73b contacts inner surface 72 d, mounting rods 44 a and 44 b are eachdisposed in a corresponding second angular position relative to drivearm 28. In the embodiment shown, mounting rods 44 a and 44 b are eachcaused to be disposed in a position which again is not perpendicular todrive arm 28.

Instead, mounting rod 44 b is disposed in an upper position whilemounting rod 44 a is disposed in a lower position, wherein each positionis defined by its distance from drive arm pivot point 29. For instance,as pivot arm 73 pivots around pivot point 76 in direction A, thedistance between mounting rod 44 b and drive arm pivot point 29increases, thus causing wiper element 46 b to assume an upper position.Furthermore, as pivot arm 73 pivots around pivot point 76 in directionB, the distance between mounting rod 44 a and drive arm pivot point 29decreases, thus causing wiper element 46 a to assume a lower position.

Also, in the embodiment shown, when mounting rods 44 a and 44 b eachassume a corresponding second angular position relative to drive arm 28,wiper elements 46 a and 46 b each assume a corresponding second angularposition relative to drive arm 28. Thus, when drive arm 28 rotates in asecond direction, wiper element 46 a travels in a third arcuate path,wherein wiper element 46 a is in a lower position and has acorresponding second angular position relative to drive arm 28.Additionally, when drive arm 28 rotates in the same first direction,wiper element 46 b travels in a fourth arcuate path, wherein wiperelement 46 b is in an upper position and has a corresponding secondangular position relative to drive arm 28.

Thus, a particular wiper element, when rotated in a first direction,travels in an arcuate path which is different from the arcuate path ittravels when rotated in a second direction. Furthermore, the two arcuatepaths (one for each direction travelled by drive arm 28) which aretravelled by a first wiper element are different from both of thearcuate paths which are travelled by the second wiper element. Thisplurality of arcuate paths travelled by the wiper elements permits thewiper elements to remove streaks left behind by windshield wiper systemsof the prior art.

It is also noted that, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, the windshield wiper illustrated in FIG. 12 employs a singlepivot, and may operate on the principles disclosed above. In thisembodiment, pivot members 34 are rigidly attached to drive armattachment member 12 and to support members 32. Thus, drive armattachment member 12 pivots relative to drive arm 28 around screw 60.This embodiment also provides that a particular wiper element, whenrotated in a first direction, travels in an arcuate path which isdifferent from the arcuate path it travels when rotated in a seconddirection, and that the two arcuate paths (one for each directiontravelled by drive arm 28) which are travelled by a first wiper elementare different from both of the arcuate paths which are travelled by thesecond wiper element. As previously mentioned, this plurality of arcuatepaths travelled by the wiper elements permits the wiper elements toremove streaks left behind by windshield wiper systems of the prior art.

Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed outfundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferredembodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosedinvention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirt of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to belimited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn toscale, but that they are merely conceptual in nature.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a windshield wiper system which includes awiper drive arm pivotably mounted proximate a vehicle windshield, saidwiper arm supporting a pair of wiper elements via a wiper apparatus,said apparatus comprising: a drive arm attachment member non-rotatablycoupled via a wiper drive arm receiving portion with said wiper drivearm and comprising a pivot arm pivotably secured to said drive armattachment member about a pivot axis which intersects said windshield,said pivot arm carrying said pair of wiper elements, wherein said pairof wiper elements are configured to pivot about said pivot axis whichintersects said windshield such that each of said wiper elements movesover a corresponding first arcuate path when said drive arm is rotatedin a first direction and moves over a corresponding second arcuate pathwhen said drive arm is rotated in a direction opposite said firstdirection, wherein each of said first and second paths of a first wiperelement is different from each of said first and second paths of asecond wiper element.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereineach of said wiper elements moves between a corresponding upper positionwhen said drive arm is rotated in said first direction, and acorresponding lower position when said drive arm is rotated in saidopposite direction.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidpivot arm is configured such that when one of said pair of wiperelements is in said upper position, said other one of said pair of wiperelements is in said lower position.
 4. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein each of said wiper elements moves between a correspondingfirst angular position when said drive arm is rotated in said firstdirection, and a corresponding second angular position when said drivearm is rotated in said opposite direction.
 5. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said pivot arm further comprises a pair of mountingrods configured to carry said wiper elements.
 6. The apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein said pair of mounting rods are perpendicular to saidpivot arm.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said pair ofmounting rods are coaxial.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said pair of wiper elements are parallel to each other.
 9. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive arm attachmentmember is releasably secured to said drive arm at said receivingportion.
 10. A windshield wiper system comprising: a vehicle windshield,a wiper drive arm pivotably mounted proximate said vehicle windshield; apair of wiper elements; a drive arm attachment member non-rotatablycoupled via a wiper drive arm receiving portion with said wiper drivearm; and a pivot arm pivotably secured to said drive arm attachmentmember about a pivot axis which intersects said windshield, said pivotarm carrying said pair of wiper elements such that each of said wiperelements moves over a corresponding first arcuate path when said drivearm is rotated in a first direction and moves over a correspondingsecond arcuate path when said drive arm is rotated in an oppositedirection, wherein each of said first and second paths of a first wiperelement is different from each of said first and second paths of asecond wiper element.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, whereineach of said wiper elements moves between a corresponding upper positionwhen said drive arm is rotated in said first direction, and acorresponding lower position when said drive arm is rotated in saidopposite direction.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid pivot arm is configured such that when one of said pair of wiperelements is in said upper position, said other one of said pair of wiperelements is in said lower position.
 13. The apparatus according to claim10, wherein each of said wiper elements moves between a correspondingfirst angular position when said drive arm is rotated in said firstdirection, and a corresponding second angular position when said drivearm is rotated in said opposite direction.
 14. The apparatus accordingto claim 10, wherein said pivot arm further comprises a pair of mountingrods configured to carry said wiper elements.
 15. The apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein said pair of mounting rods areperpendicular to said pivot arm.
 16. The apparatus according to claim14, wherein said pair of mounting rods are coaxial.
 17. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said pair of wiper elements are parallelto each other.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein saiddrive arm attachment member is releasably secured to said drive arm atsaid receiving portion.